peltast

/ ˈpɛltæst /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) a lightly armed foot soldier

Word History and Origins

Origin of peltast¹

C17: from Latin peltasta, from Greek peltastēs soldier equipped with a pelta, a small leather shield

Example Sentences

The critic is no hero: he is at best but a skipping peltast, engaged as often as not in inglorious flight.

From Project Gutenberg